Quit Notice: Igbos Flee North

Barely one week after some youths ordered Igbos resident in northern Nigeria to vacate, findings have shown that some Igbo citizens in the region are gradually relocating.

Recall that a coalition of Northern Youth Groups, in what they tagged: “The Kaduna Declaration” had given all Igbos residing in any part of Northern Nigeria three months to relocate to their places of origin.

The spokesman of the group, Alhaji AbdulAziz Suleiman while briefing newsmen in Kaduna Tuesday said, “With the effective date of this declaration, which is today, Tuesday, June 06, 2017, all Igbos currently residing in any part of Northern Nigeria are hereby served notice to relocate within three months and all northerners residing in the East are advised likewise.” ‎

A visit to some motor parks in northern Nigeria on Thursday showed that many Igbos are already returning to the East to avoid being harmed.

When this reporter visited the God is Good Motor Park in Mando, Kaduna State on Thursday, the park was filled to the brim with Igbos, who are heading to their country home.

Speaking with our correspondent, a man who gave his name as Ifeanyi Odozie, an electric appliance dealer said he doesn’t want to risk the life of his family.

“I have been in this place for thirty years but I think I have overstayed my welcome here. I will take my family to the village and return by next week to sell off some of my belongings here,” he said.

When reminded that the federal government had since ordered the arrest of those behind the threat, the father of six angrily said, “the federal government won’t be there to save us when problem starts.

“Since they gave they order, who has been arrested? I also have my village, it is high time I returned home.”

Another lady, who gave her name as Chioma Okoye, said she sells second hand clothes at the Kaduna Central market in Kaduna.

“I want to go and rest for a while. I really don’t know what these people are up to. I will come back when they are ready to accommodate us,” she said.

Similarly, a trip to the Kofar Ruwa Market park of the Peace Mass Transit in Kano also showed that Igbos are already returning to their home towns in droves.

Our reporters spotted some person with their belongings, including, mattresses, cooking pots, boxes of clothes, and other home appliances.

When our reporter approached one of the travelers, who gave his name as Mazi Obiekwe, he angrily said, “go and ask Buhari and his kinsmen why they want us to leave their land.”

When prodded further how long he has been in Kano, he simply said, “Seems they sent you after me this morning. Don’t let me invoke ‘amadioha’ to punish you.”

Meanwhile, prominent Nigerians, including the president, senators, past leaders have affirmed that every Nigerian has the right to live in any part of the country.